Speeding Up The Game: A Look Into The NCAA's Proposed Anti-Stalling Rule

The debate in women’s lacrosse continues on the speed of the game and whether or not anti-stalling measures need to be enacted. A rule has been proposed to find out where things stand on this issue.

In June, the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Rules Committee met, proposing this rule: “If theattacking team carries or passes the ball outside or above the restraining line, possession will be awarded to the closest defensive player who is below or inside the line. The closest attack player from below or inside the line will be placed 4 meters away to either side at a 45-degree angle.”

The proposal will be sent to the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel next month. The Committee makes rule changes every two years; the next one comes in 2015. Committee chair and Stevens coach Celine Cunningham said that a rule on the draw was made last season, and the restraining line rule was suggested this year to not put too many rule changes together in one year.

Cunningham said that this rule is about gathering data and assessing the situation, not about changing the style of the game. She is hoping teams will experiment with this new rule in the fall.

“I would strongly recommend teams try this rule out during the fall, it is very important to get that feedback,” said Cunningham. “There is a lot of discussion about pace of play that is interesting.”

As of right now, the sport of women’s lacrosse does not have rules for pace of play. Clearing and shooting do not have a time limit. The men’s game has rules for clearing and stalls that force action, but rules have been tweaked as time has progressed, including the “keep it in” count being removed and being replaced with a 30-second count.

The information that could be potentially gained in fall ball could be vital to determining whether or not the sport seeks a different style of play.

“We have had other changes proposed (before), including not stopping at the whistle and continuingly moving, which is great in theory. This is why we did it this way, it will help the teams prepare in the spring regardless of whether we add the rule or not.”

Rule suggestions posted by observers have included shot clocks and time limits on clearing and/or shooting. But traditionalists tend to suggest less drastic or no changes, keeping the status quo. That status quo has allowed the exponential growth of women’s lacrosse to be one of the fastest growing sports in the country and the NCAA.

“I would say we (everyone) are about 50/50, and the committee has to get feedback,” said Cunningham. “First and foremost is the safety of the game and how it will impact all three divisions and new programs, and I think that gets lost when people think one way or the other.”

Whether or not this recommendation has any effect may determine if future rules will come to be.

“It is a step, it may not be the answer to many people, but it is a way we can gather information.”